Motor vehicle seat having an armrest

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seating assembly includes a first seating unit having a backrest, which includes a front side and a back side. An armrest I operably coupled with an intermediate portion of the back side and is configured for use by a passenger seated in a second seating unit disposed behind but laterally offset from the first seating unit. The armrest is moveable between an in-use position, wherein an upper surface of the armrest is generally horizontally positioned and available to support the passenger, and a stowed position, wherein the armrest is generally adjacent to a rear face of the backrest of the first seating unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/076,942, filed Nov. 11, 2013, entitled“MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT HAVING AN ARMREST,” and is related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/076,919 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,102,243), filedNov. 11, 2013, entitled “SEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE”;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/076,928 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,446,686), filed Nov. 11, 2013, entitled “SEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR APASSENGER VEHICLE”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/076,954 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,973,966), filed Nov. 11, 2013, entitled “SEATINGARRANGEMENT FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE”; U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/076,964 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,796), filed Nov. 11, 2013, entitled“SEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE”; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/076,969 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,888,160, filed Nov.11, 2013, entitled “SEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE”, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to motor vehicles and inparticular to the provision of an armrest for a rear seated passenger ofa motor vehicle having two seats arranged in an offset configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known for a passenger seat to be provided with a foldablearmrest that can be moved into an in-use position when used by thepassenger and can be stowed or folded away when not being used by thepassenger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a first seating unit having a backrest, which includesa front side and a back side. An armrest I operably coupled with anintermediate portion of the back side and is configured for use by apassenger seated in a second seating unit disposed behind but laterallyoffset from the first seating unit. The armrest is moveable between anin-use position, wherein an upper surface of the armrest is generallyhorizontally positioned and available to support the passenger, and astowed position, wherein the armrest is generally adjacent to a rearface of the backrest of the first seating unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a seating unit having a backrest, which includes afront side and a back side. An armrest is operably coupled with anintermediate portion of the back side and is configured to projectrearwardly from the seating unit. The armrest is moveable between anin-use position, wherein the armrest extends generally horizontally anda stowed position, wherein the armrest is generally adjacent to thebackrest of the seating unit.

It is an object of the invention to provide a seat having an armrestthat is particularly suitable for fitment to a motor vehicle having astaggered seating arrangement.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a motorvehicle seat having backrest including an internal frame and an armrestfor use by a person sat behind but laterally offset from the seatwherein the armrest is rotatably connected to part of the internal frameof the backrest of the seat so as to permit the armrest to be movedabout a horizontally disposed axis between an in-use position in whichan upper surface of the armrest is substantially horizontally disposedto a stowed position in which the armrest is disposed so as to lieadjacent to a rear face of the backrest of the seat.

A stop device may be provided to limit movement of the armrest from thestowed position so as to dispose the upper surface of the armrest in thesubstantially horizontal in-use position when it abuts against the stop.

The backrest may be adjustable for inclination and the stop may be anadjustable stop that is automatically adjusted to compensate for changesin the inclination of the backrest so as to ensure that the uppersurface of the armrest is in the substantially horizontal in-useposition when it abuts against the stop.

Alternatively, a latching mechanism may be provided so as to permit thearmrest to be held in at least one angular position with respect to therear face of the backrest.

The at least one angular position may be an angular position in whichthe upper surface of the armrest is substantially horizontally disposed.

The inclination of the backrest may be adjustable and the latchingmechanism may permit the armrest to be held secure in a number ofdifferent angular positions with respect to the rear face of thebackrest so as to enable the armrest to be disposed substantiallyhorizontally irrespective of the inclination of the backrest.

The seat may be a front seat and, when in the in-use position, thearmrest may provide a support for an arm of a passenger using a rearseat.

Advantageously, the armrest may be rotatably connected directly to partof the internal frame of the backrest.

Advantageously, the means used to rotatably connect the armrest to thepart of the frame of the backrest may be located within the armrest soas to conceal the means used to rotatably connect the armrest to thepart of the frame of the backrest from view irrespective of therotational position of the armrest.

The armrest may be rotatably connected to the part of the frame of thebackrest by a pivot pin arrangement and the pivot pin arrangement may besubstantially concealed from view irrespective of the rotationalposition of the armrest.

The armrest may include at least one cup holder.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided aseating arrangement having a front seat and a rear seat arranged in astaggered arrangement with respect to the front seat such that the frontseat is positioned forward of the rear seat but offset with respect toit wherein the front seat is a seat constructed in accordance with saidfirst aspect of the invention.

The rear seat may partially overlap the front seat both transversely andlongitudinally.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a motorvehicle having a seating arrangement constructed in accordance with saidsecond aspect of the invention.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference tothe accompanying drawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a motor vehicle having a seatingarrangement according to a second aspect of the invention including aseat constructed in accordance with a first aspect of the inventionshowing an armrest forming part of the seat in an in-use position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the armrest in a stowedposition;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a backrest of a seatshowing a first embodiment of an armrest assembly in an in-use position;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the backrest of theseat shown in FIG. 3 but showing the armrest assembly in a stowedposition;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of part of thestructure of the backrest shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 showing a firstembodiment of a latching mechanism for latching an armrest in the in-useposition;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the backrest shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with thebackrest rear covering removed so that an underlying support frame forthe backrest can be seen;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of anadjustable stop for an armrest;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of a second embodiment of a latchingmeans for latching an armrest in the in-use position;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side view of a third embodiment of a latchingmeans for latching an armrest in the in-use position;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of a fourth embodiment of a latchingmeans for latching an armrest in the in-use position;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial perspective view of a second embodiment of anadjustable stop for an armrest;

FIG. 12a is a plan view of a second embodiment of an armrest assembly inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 12b is a side plan view of the armrest assembly shown in FIG. 12 a;

FIG. 13 is a rear plan view of a backrest of a seat showing an armrestassembly according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14a is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the backrestshown in FIG. 13 showing an armrest in an in-use position;

FIG. 14b is a view similar to FIG. 14a but showing the backrest with thearmrest removed; and

FIG. 15 is a partial plan cross-sectional plan view of the armrest shownin FIGS. 13 and 14 a showing a pivot pin arrangement used to rotatablyconnect the armrest to the backrest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-6 there is shown a motor vehicle 1having a front end ‘F’ and a passenger compartment ‘P’ defined byrespective front, rear and side walls 2, 3 and 4, 5. The motor vehicle 1has in this case four road wheels, is of a compact design and includes asource of motive power used to drive at least two of the four roadwheels.

A seating arrangement including of a front seat 10 for a driver of themotor vehicle 1 and a rear seat 20 for a passenger of the motor vehicle1 are located in the passenger compartment ‘P’. The front and rear seats10 and 20 are arranged in a staggered configuration so that a passengersat on the rear seat 20 is located to the rear of the front seat 10 andis offset with respect to the front seat 10 such that the legs of thepassenger sat on the rear seat 20 can pass by an inboard side of thefront seat 10. The front seat 10 has a seat cushion or squab 11 and abackrest 12 and the rear seat 20 has a seat cushion or squab 21 and abackrest 22.

An armrest assembly including an armrest 50 for a passenger sat on therear seat 20 is rotatably connected to the backrest 12 of the front seat10 so as to enable the armrest 50 to be rotated about a transversehorizontal axis between an in-use position, as shown in FIG. 1, and astowed position, as shown in FIG. 2, in which the armrest 50 liesadjacent to or against a rear face of the backrest 12. In the in-useposition the armrest 50 projects rearwardly from the backrest 12 and isarranged substantially horizontally.

The armrest 50 is rotatably connected directly to a support frame 13 ofthe backrest 12 by means of a pair of spaced apart flanges 14L, 14Rattached to a cross-rail 16 of the support frame 13 and by a pivot pin15. A support flange 17 is provided at a lower end of each of twouprights forming part of the support frame 13 for use in rotatablyconnecting the backrest 12 to a support frame of the seat squab 11.

The armrest 50 has an arm support surface 50 h for use by a passengerwhen the armrest is in the in-use position and a reverse surface 50 rwhich faces downwardly when the armrest 50 is in the in-use position.

The arm support surface 50 h lies adjacent a rear face of the backrest12 when the armrest 50 is in the stowed position. The rear face of thebackrest 12 includes a depression 12 d in which the armrest 50 is stowedso as to reduce or eliminate any rearward projection of the armrest 50from the surrounding rear face of the backrest 12.

The armrest assembly includes a support arm 51 attached at one end tothe armrest 50. The support arm 51 has at an opposite end to the endwhere it is attached to the armrest 50 an aperture through which thepivot pin 15 extends so as to pivotally or rotatably connect the armrest50 to the support frame 13 of the backrest 12. The support arm 51 is notfastened to the pivot pin 15 but rather is axially slideable on thepivot pin 15 which is fastened at one or both ends to one or both of theflanges 14L, 14R.

A latching mechanism 20 is provided to enable the armrest 50 to be heldin a number of angular positions relative to the backrest 12. Thelatching mechanism 20 includes of an annular plate having a serrated ortoothed surface secured to a right hand flange 14R of the pair offlanges 14L, 14R and an annular serrated or toothed surface on one sideof the support arm 51. The pivot pin 15 extends through both of thetoothed surfaces which are arranged concentrically with respect to thepivot pin 15. A spring 21 is interposed between a left hand flange 14Lof the pair of flanges 14L, 14R and the support arm 51 so as to bias thesupport arm 51 towards the right hand flange 14R and maintain the twotoothed surfaces in latching engagement.

When the two toothed surfaces are engaged with one, the armrest 50 isheld in position and is not free to rotate relative to the backrest 12.By displacing the armrest 50 in the direction of arrow D on FIG. 5 theforce of the spring 21 is overcome and the two toothed surfaces aredisengaged from one another. The armrest 50 is then free to rotaterelative to the backrest 50 about a horizontal axis that corresponds toa longitudinal axis of the pivot pin 15.

Operation of the armrest assembly is as follows, when not in use thearmrest 50 is stowed so as to lie against the rear face of the backrest12 in the depression 12 d in a substantially vertically extendingposition and is held in this position by the latching mechanism 20.

When the armrest 50 is being used, a passenger slides the armrestassembly laterally by applying a force to the armrest 50 so as todisengage the latching mechanism 20 and then rotates the armrest 50 to adesired in-use position. When in the in-use position the armrest 50 isnormally disposed substantially horizontally because an armrest sodisposed is comfortable for use. It will be appreciated that, if thebackrest 12 has a recline adjuster allowing its inclination to bevaried, then any variation in inclination angle can be accommodated bylatching the armrest 50 in a different angular position relative to thebackrest 12.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, there is shownan alternative means for locating an armrest in an in-use position. Inthis case a stop 161 is provided on a stop plate 160 that is rotatablyengaged on a pivot pin 115 located as per the pivot pin 15 previouslydescribed and is attached to a support frame 113 of a backrest in asimilar manner to the pivot pin 15. A support arm 151 forming part of anarmrest assembly is, as before, rotatably supported on the pivot pin 115and has a travel limiting plate 152 including an abutment face 153 forabutment against the stop 161. The stop plate 160 has an arm 165 towhich is attached a spring 121 and one end of a linkage 170. The spring121 is connected between the arm 165 and part of the support frame 113of the backrest. The spring 121 biases the stop 161 in a clockwisedirection as viewed against the action of the linkage 170.

When the armrest is in the in-use position the abutment face 153 of thetravel limiting plate 152 abuts against the stop 161 so as to preventfurther clockwise rotation of the support arm 151. In this position thearmrest is substantially horizontally disposed.

The angular position of the stop plate 160 is controlled by the linkage170 which is connected at a lower end to a part of the seat in such amanner that, if the backrest is reclined more than its currentinclination, the linkage 170 causes the stop plate 160 to be rotated ina counter clockwise direction and vice-versa if the inclination of thebackrest is reduced. An adjustable stop is therefore provided thatenables the armrest or to be more precise, an upper surface of thearmrest, to be positioned substantially horizontal when in the in-useposition.

A catch can be provided to hold the armrest in the stowed position. Thearmrest is held in the in-use position by the effect of gravity and anyload applied to it from a passenger. It will be appreciated that a fixedstop could be used but this has the disadvantage that the armrest willnot then be maintained in a substantially horizontal position if thebackrest angle is varied. In such a case the fixed stop would be set fora predefined backrest inclination for which the armrest would besubstantially horizontally disposed and for other backrest inclinationangles the armrest would not be substantially horizontally disposed.

With reference to FIG. 8 a second embodiment of a latching mechanism 220is shown. The latching mechanism 220 is used to hold an armrest in anumber of different angular positions with respect to a backrest towhich the armrest is rotatably connected via a pivot pin 215 andbrackets.

The latching mechanism 220 includes a serrated wheel 222 and a detentarm 223. The serrated wheel 222 is fastened to a support arm 251 formingpart of an armrest assembly that is rotatably connected directly to partof a frame 213 for the backrest by means of the pivot pin 215. Thedetent arm 223 is pivotally connected to the frame 213 and has at leastone tooth for engagement with the serrated wheel 222 so as to preventrotation of the support arm 251 relative to the frame 213. A spring 221is used to bias the tooth of the detent arm 223 into engagement with theserrated wheel 222.

With reference again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, byapplying a force in the direction of the arrow “U” on FIG. 8 to a freeend of the detent arm 223 the tooth on the detent arm 223 is disengagedfrom the serrated wheel 222 and the armrest is then free to rotate abouta substantially horizontal axis defined by the pivot pin 215 betweenrespective in-use and stowed positions. When the armrest is positionedangularly in a desired position the force is removed from the detent arm223 and the armrest is then held in the desired rotational position bythe engagement of the tooth on the detent arm 223 with the serratedwheel 222.

With reference to FIG. 9 a third embodiment of a latching mechanism 320is shown. The latching mechanism 32 is used to hold an armrest in anumber of different angular positions with respect to a backrest towhich the armrest is rotatably connected via a pivot pin 315 andbrackets. The latching mechanism 320 includes a worm wheel 322 and aworm 321 that are inter-engaged. A handle 325 is attached or formed aspart of the worm 321 for use by a passenger to cause rotation of theworm 321. The worm wheel 322 is fastened to a support arm 351 that isrotatably connected directly to part of a frame 313 for the backrest bymeans of the pivot pin 215. The armrest is connected to the frame 313via the support arm 351.

Rotation of the worm 321 by a passenger will cause the armrest to berotated relative to the backrest about a horizontal axis defined by thepivot pin 315 in a direction dependent upon the direction of rotation ofthe worm 321. Therefore the armrest can be moved by the passengerbetween in-use and stowed positions by rotation of the handle 325 in anappropriate direction.

With reference to FIG. 10 a fourth embodiment of a latching mechanism420 is shown. The latching mechanism 420 used to hold an armrest 450 ina number of different angular positions with respect to a backrest 412to which the armrest 450 is rotatably connected via a pivot pin 415 andbrackets is shown. The latching mechanism 420 includes a wheel 421 and acam 422 that can be brought into engagement by rotation of the cam 422using a lever 423.

The wheel 421 is fastened to a support arm 451 forming with the armrest450 an armrest assembly. The support arm 451 is rotatably connecteddirectly to part of a frame 413 for the backrest 412 by means of thepivot pin 415. The armrest 450 is connected to the frame 413 via thesupport arm 451 for rotation about a transverse horizontal axis of thebackrest 412 defined by the pivot pin 415. Rotation of the arm 423 by apassenger will cause the cam 422 to be rotated into or out of engagementwith the wheel 421 depending upon the direction of rotation of the arm423. The surface of the cam 422 and/or the wheel 421 has a high frictioncompressible layer to enable the cam 422 to easily provide sufficientlatching force to hold the armrest 450 in position.

When the cam 422 is urged into contact with the wheel 421 the armrest450 is held in that rotational position and when the cam 422 is moved soas not to be engaged with the wheel 421 the armrest 450 is free torotate between in-use and stowed positions. In the in-use position thearmrest 450 is normally set so as to be disposed substantiallyhorizontally irrespective of the inclination of the backrest 412.However, it will be appreciated that the actual disposition of thearmrest 450 is set by the potential user and so is not necessarilyexactly horizontal.

With reference to FIG. 11 there is shown a second embodiment of anadjustable stop for an armrest 550 connected to a backrest of a seat.

The armrest 550 (shown in a stowed orientation in FIG. 11) is connectedto a pair of spaced apart support flanges 514 by means of a pivot pin515 of a hinge having two leaves 551, 552. A first leaf 551 is used toconnect the armrest 550 to the pivot pin 515 and so forms with thearmrest 550 an armrest assembly, the second leaf 552 forms an adjustablestop and is connected via a linkage 562 to another part of the seat ofwhich the backrest forms a part. The linkage 562 is arranged such that,if the inclination of the backrest is changed, the position of thesecond leaf 552 is automatically changed so as to move the adjustablestop formed by the second leaf 552.

If the armrest 550 is moved from a stowed position in which it liesagainst a rear face of the backrest to which it is rotatably attached toan in-use position, the first leaf 551 is rotated in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 11 it contacts an abutment surface 553 onthe second leaf 552.

Further clockwise rotation of the armrest 550 is prevented by theabutment of the first leaf 551 with the abutment surface 553 on thesecond leaf 552 which is held in position by the linkage 562. The in-useposition of the armrest 550 is therefore determined by the angularposition of the second leaf 552 which is controlled by the linkage 562.

If the backrest is inclined from a first position to a second moreinclined position, the action of the linkage 562 is to rotate the secondleaf 552 in a counter clockwise directions and vice-versa if thebackrest is moved to a less inclined position.

It will be appreciated that the pair of spaced apart flanges 514 arefastened to part of a support frame for the backrest so that the armrestis rotatably connected directly to the backrest.

With reference to FIGS. 12a and 12b there is shown an armrest assemblyincluding an armrest 650 suitable for rotatable attachment to a rearface of a seat such as the seat 10 and is intended to be a directreplacement for the armrest 50. The armrest 650 has an outer part havinga padded first surface 650 h for use by a passenger of the motor vehiclesuch as the motor vehicle 1 when the armrest 650 is in an in-useposition. The outer part of the armrest 650 also has a second surface650 r that is shaped so as to complement a depression (such as thedepression 12 d shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) formed in a rear surface of theseat to which the armrest 650 is rotatably connected. The armrest 650also includes a cup holder 645 for use when the armrest is in the in-useposition. The armrest assembly further includes a support arm 651 formedas two parts that are rotatably connected together. An outer one of thetwo parts of the support arm 651 is connected at one end to the armrest650. The outer part of the support arm 651 is rotatable relative to aninner part of the support arm 651 about an axis x-x as indicated by thearrow “B”. The support arm 651 includes a detent mechanism 630 betweenthe two parts of the support arm 651 to enable the armrest 650 to beheld into two positions arranged 180 degrees apart. A spring is used tomaintain the detent mechanism 630 engaged unless it is overcome by theapplication of a releasing force by a passenger.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, an inner part of the support arm 651 isattached to a support tube 652 having a bore sized to slidingly androtatably accommodate a pivot pin to provide a pivotal connection to asupport structure attached to a frame of the backrest such as the twoflanges 14. The rotatable engagement of the support tube 652 with thepivot pin permits the armrest 650 to be rotated about and axis Y-Y asshown by the arrow “A” on FIG. 12a between respective in-use and stowedpositions.

A latching mechanism such as that shown in FIG. 4 can be used to holdthe armrest 650 in the in-use and stowed positions or any other suitablelatching mechanism could be used. The primary difference between thearmrest 650 and the armrest 50 is that, when the armrest 50 is stowed,the surface used by a passenger is positioned adjacent the rear face ofthe seat whereas, because the armrest 650 is able, due to the splitnature of the support arm 651, to be rotated it enables the second face650 r to be positioned adjacent the rear face of the backrest.

This has the advantage in some cases that the soft or padded firstsurface 650 h of the armrest 650 is exposed when the armrest 650 isstowed thereby providing a less rigid surface in the event that thepassenger impinges against it.

A second possible advantage is that the second face 650 r can be shapedto match the depression in the rear surface of the backrest and so,potentially, the armrest 650 can be stowed more neatly in the backrest.

As before, the armrest 650 is moveable between an in-use position, inwhich the first surface 650 h is arranged substantially horizontally,and a second or stowed position, in which the armrest 650 is positionedadjacent the rear face of the backrest. The latching mechanism is usedto hold the armrest 650 in the stowed and in-use positions. It will beappreciated that the armrest could also be used with an adjustable stopdevice instead of a latching mechanism.

In the preceding embodiments the axis about which the armrest rotatesand the components of the armrest assembly used to facilitate rotationabout this axis are both located externally of the armrest. Thesecomponents are therefore visible to a passenger of the motor vehicle.However it is desired if both the pivot axis and the components of thearmrest assembly used to facilitate rotation about this axis are bothlocated within the armrest because the components are then obscured fromview.

With this in mind a particularly advantageous embodiment of a seathaving an armrest located on a rear face of a backrest of the seat foruse by a passenger seated to the rear but offset from the seat is shownin FIGS. 13-15. The armrest assembly is intended to be a directreplacement for the armrest assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The armrest assembly includes an armrest 750 and a support means in theform of a tube 719 fixed within the armrest 750 to a structural part ofthe armrest, two pivot pins 715R, 715L and a helical compression spring720. The seat has a backrest 712 including an internal frame 713 (shownas a dotted outline on FIG. 13) including a cross-rail 716 to which isattached a pair of spaced apart supports 714L, 714R for rotatablyattaching the armrest 750.

Each of the supports 714L, 714R has an aperture 714Ra, 714La therein ofwhich the aperture 714Ra in the right hand support 714R is shown in theFigures. The apertures 714Ra, 714La are provided to accommodate arespective end portion of one of the pivot pins 715R, 715L so as torotatably connect the armrest 750 to the backrest 712. The two pivotpins 715R, 715L are slidingly supported in the tube 719 which isattached inside the structural part of the armrest 750. The two pivotpins 715R, 715L are biased apart by the helical compression spring 720.By applying force to the ends of the two pins 715R, 715L the spring 720can be compressed thereby permitting the pins 715R, 715L to be engagedwith respective apertures 714Ra, 714La in the supports 714R, 714L viaapertures 712 a in a trim panel on the rear of the backrest 712.

Once so engaged the means used to rotatably connect the armrest 750 tothe backrest 712, namely, the pins 715R, 715L, the spring 720 and thetube 719 are all concealed from view irrespective of the rotationalposition of the armrest 750. It will be appreciated that a very smallpart of each pivot pin 715R, 715L may still be seen (as shown on FIG.13). The amount of the pins 715R, 715L that can be seen will depend uponthe clearance between the armrest 750 and the depression or recess 712 din the backrest 712 in which it is fitted and this will normally be verysmall (circa 1 mm).

As before the armrest 750 is rotatable about a transverse horizontalaxis defined by the pivot pins 715R, 715L from a stowed position inwhich it lies adjacent a rear face of the backrest 712 in the depression712 d to an in-use position in which it is positioned such that an uppersurface of the armrest 750 is substantially horizontally disposed (asshown in FIG. 14a ).

A latching mechanism 720 is shown on FIG. 14a in schematic for holdingthe armrest 750 in the stowed and in-us positions. The latchingmechanism 720 includes a lever 721 connected to a pin 722 for engagementwith a recess in a structural outer part of the armrest 750. A springholds the pin 722 into engagement with the recess unless an unlatchingforce is applied to the lever 721 in the direction of arrow “U”. Asecond recess is shown positioned to hold the armrest 750 in its stowedposition.

It will be appreciated that more recesses could be provided so as toaccommodate variations in the inclination angle of the backrest 712 oralternative types of latching mechanism could be used including latchingmechanisms that automatically compensate for such changes in backrestinclination angle.

It will be appreciated that the lateral positioning of the armrest ineach case will depend upon several factors including the positioning ofthe seats and the size of occupant for which the armrest is designed toaccommodate. However, in general terms the lateral positioning of thearmrest will such as to be suitable for use by an adult occupant of therear seat when it is in the in-use position and so will be disposed tothe side of the rear seat.

Therefore in summary an armrest is provided as part of a seat for use bya passenger seated on a further seat to the rear and offset from theseat to which the armrest is rotatably attached.

If the seat has a backrest that is adjustable in terms of inclinationthen it is desirable if a means is provided to permit the armrest to beheld in a substantially horizontal position when it is in an in-useposition irrespective of the inclination of the backrest.

It will be appreciated that various alternative mechanisms could be usedto hold or locate the armrest in a substantially horizontal positionwhen in the in-use position and that the exemplar mechanisms shown anddescribed herein are a few of many possible alternatives. Similarly,although the use of a pivot pin or pins for rotatably attaching thearmrest to the backrest is particularly convenient and cost effectiveother means could be used such as, for example, one or more hinges.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although theinvention has been described by way of example with reference to one ormore embodiments it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and thatalternative embodiments could be constructed without departing from thescope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isfor illustrative purposes. Although a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown in multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of the wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of the wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure and methods without departing from theconcepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understoodthat such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claimsunless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising: an armrestoperably coupled with an intermediate portion of a back side of aseating unit and projecting rearwardly from the seating unit androtatable about a horizontal cross-rail between: a horizontal in-useposition; and a vertical stowed position, wherein the armrest isreceived in a recess defined in a backrest of the seating unit; and alatching mechanism selectively securing the armrest in a plurality ofdifferent angular positions.
 2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1,further comprising: a stop that abuts the armrest and limits downwardmovement of the armrest when the armrest is generally horizontallypositioned.
 3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein thebackrest is adjustable for inclination and the stop is an adjustablestop that is automatically adjusted to compensate for changes in theinclination of the backrest to ensure that an upper surface of thearmrest is generally horizontally positioned when the armrest abutsagainst the stop.
 4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a latching mechanism configured to secure the armrest in atleast one angular position with respect to a rear face of the backrest.5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least oneangular position is an angular position in which the upper surface ofthe armrest is substantially horizontally disposed.
 6. The vehicleseating assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-rail is coupled with aframe of the backrest.
 7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1,wherein the armrest includes at least one cup holder.
 8. A vehicleseating assembly comprising: a first seating unit having a backrest; anarmrest rotatably coupled with the backrest; a second seating unitdisposed behind but laterally offset from the first seating unit, thearmrest being useable to a passenger in the first seating unit andmoveable between a horizontal in-use position and a vertical stowedposition, wherein the armrest is received in a depression of thebackrest of the first seating unit.
 9. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 8, further comprising: a stop that abuts the armrest and limitsdownward movement of the armrest when the armrest is in the horizontalin-use position.
 10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, whereinthe backrest is adjustable for inclination and the stop automaticallyadjusts to compensate for changes in the inclination of the backrest toensure that an upper surface of the armrest is generally horizontallypositioned when the armrest abuts against the stop.
 11. The vehicleseating assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a latching mechanismconfigured to secure the armrest in at least one angular position withrespect to back side of the backrest.
 12. The vehicle seating assemblyof claim 8, further comprising: a latching mechanism operably coupledwith the backrest, wherein the backrest is adjustable for inclinationand the latching mechanism is configured to secure the armrest in aplurality of different angular positions with respect to a rear face ofthe backrest such that the armrest can be horizontally positionedregardless of the inclination of the backrest.
 13. The vehicle seatingassembly of claim 8, wherein the first seating unit is a front seat and,when in the horizontal in-use position, the armrest provides support foran arm of a passenger seated in a rear seat.
 14. The vehicle seatingassembly of claim 8, wherein the armrest is rotatably coupled directlyto part of an internal frame of the backrest.
 15. The vehicle seatingassembly of claim 14, wherein the armrest is rotatably coupled via arotational coupling to an internal portion of the armrest such that therotational coupling is concealed from view regardless of the rotationalposition of the armrest.
 16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8,wherein the armrest is rotatably connected to a frame of the backrest bya pivot pin arrangement and the pivot pin arrangement is substantiallyconcealed form view regardless of the rotational position of thearmrest.
 17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein thearmrest includes at least one cup holder.